Ore concentrator or separator.



W. H. NIUNROE.

ORE CONCENTRATOR 0R SEPARATOR.

v APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, 191 6. Patented (11111612,

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

gmwmto/L W. H. IVIUNROE.

ORE CDNCENTRATOR 0R SEPARATOR.

Patented June 12, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, I9l6 1,230,081

da. E.

WIM/woo me Nonnls uns ce.. mgm-umm wnsmmzmu, n. a

UNTTED sTATns PATENT onnion.

WILLIAM H. MUNROE, OF ASHLAND,y ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR OF y0NE-FOTJ'R'IH` TO G. A. MATTISON AND ONE-FOURTH TO A. B. CONKLIN, BOTH OF ASHLAND, ALABAMA.

ORE CONCENTRATOR 0R SEPARATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 1917.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM II. MUNROE,4 a citizen of the United States, residing at Ashland, in the county of Clay andl State of Alabama, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore Concentrators or Separatore; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, 'such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention contemplates certain new and useful improvements in concentrators and relates more especially to the production of a graphite washer in which floating flake graphite is collected by the skimming action of a stream of liquid.

An object of the present invention is to produce a concentrating apparatus in which particlesv of flake graphite and like substances can be readily separated from the heavier ores in which they are contained and collected in a simple and eflicient manner. p

Another object of the invention is the production of a flake graphite concentrator including in combination a flotation tank7 al deflecting curved spilling apron for directing a stream of liquid acrossand into the upper level of the flotation tank, and a feeding device for discharging the ore containing the flakegraphite -into the stream of liquid, the said feeding device comprising a force feed roller located at the discharge end of the hopper from which the ore is fed.

A further object of this invention is to produce an apparatus for treating ores containing floating flake graphite and similar substances, in which particles of flake graphite are skimmed from the heavier ores, sand and the like, by the action ofa'fdellected stream of liquid directed into a specially designed flotation tank after substantially traversing the upper level thereof, the said stream of liquid being further directed into substantially a cylindrical path of travel within said flotation tank by reason of the pyramiding of the heavier substances deposited therein.

The invention further consists in the design. and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which show by way of illustration an embodiment ofthe invention,y

Figure l is an end elevation of my improved concentrating apparatus showing the several elements interposed between a suitable hopper from which the ore is fed and a receiving launder.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus partly in section,and

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale through the several elements, including the especially designed flotation tank, curved spilling apron, force feeding device, and the baffled liquid compartment from which the liquid is spilled. The present invention has been designed primarily for use in separating flake graphite from sand by means of a stream of liquid directed into a flotation tank so as to circulate the liquid contained therein in substantially a cylindrical direction and thereby give to the upper surface of the liquid a buoyant effect for floating the lighter particles of graphite off onto a skimming apron and collecting the heavier particles of sand which sink into the flotation tank.`

In practice a stream of liquid is deflected over a spilling apron onto the upper surface of the liquid in the flotation tank and after passing across the upper open end of the tank for a distance is directed into the liquid in the tank by reason of the inclination of the spilling apron, after which itflows to circulate the liquid therein in a cylindrical direction and give to the upper surface of the water the buoyant effect.

IThe ores or materials from which the graphite is separated are fed into the path of travel of the aforesaid stream of liquid over a deflecting board located between a feeding roller and the upper surface of the liquid contained in the flotation tank. The feeding roller is preferably of the force feed type and receives the ores from a controllable valve or gate for feeding an even volume of material.

The floating tub or floating tank is mounted independently of the ore feeding mechanism, and is constricted at its lower discharge end as shown.

Referring to the drawings in which similar vreference characters designate corresponding parts, the apparatus comprises, among other things, a flotation tank 1 adjustably mounted upon ver-tical supports 2 which latter can project from suitable concrete or stone footings 3 as shown; a spilling apron 4 of arcuate formation and an associated baffled liquid compartment 5; an ore feeding mechanism including a hopper G, feeding roller 7, and deflecting board 8; and a receiving apron 9 located upon the opposite side of the flotation tank to that of the first mentioned spilling apron 4 for conducting a thin film of the liquid containing the separated flakesof graphite to a suitable launder 10. r1`he feeding mechanism is mounted independently of the flotation tank upon a vertical support 11 rising from one of the footings 3.

The flotation tank 1 comprises van upper portion 12 of substantially semicylindrical inside contour and is provided with an open upper end 13 as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The lower portion 14 of the tank 1 is preferably constructed of lighter metal, as shown, and is bolted to the upper portion 12 by the bolts 15. The side walls 16 of this lower portion 14 are constricted as they near the bottom or discharge end of the tank tangentially to the upper portion 12 for a purpose to be presently described. A series of discharge openings 17 are provided in the lower portion 14 of the tank and assist in pyramiding the deposited sand collected from the ore, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. By this construction of flotation tank it will be obvious that thesand which sinks through the liquid in the tank will gradually deposit in the tank in a concavoinverted py ranridal format-ion, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby producing a free circulation of the liquid in substantially a continuous cylindrical direction.

The substantially even discharge of the sand from the flotation tank into the receiving tub 18 maintains the contour of the deposit within the tank, as will be readily understood. Likewise the longitudinal pyramidingA of the deposit occurs by reason of the 'even discharge through the opening 17 in the lower portion of the tank thereby assisting in maintaining a continuous circulation of the liquid in the flotation tank.

r1`he spilling apron 4 is arranged adjacent the flotation tank in tangential relation, and' as shown comprises a curved spilling surface 19 over which a stream or film. of liquid flows. The apron 4 is provided with side edges 20, and receives the liquid to be discharged over the upper edge 21 adjacent the compartment 5. Suitable baffles 22 are provided in the compartment 5 and liquid is introduced in said compartment through the opening 23 near the bottom thereof.

The steady discharge of the liquid, as well as interruption of any foreign matter which may be contained therein, is accomplished by the interposition of these baffles.

As shown, the position of the spilling apron 4 is designed to vdirect a flow or stream'of liquid into the fiotation tank in substantially a horizontal plane-for a distance across the upper open 'end of the tank on the upper level of the circulating liquid contained therein, and then into the said liquid against one of the substantially semicylindrical sides in the upper portion 12 of the tank, whereupon it readily mixes with the circulating liquid and continues to churn within the tank in substantially a cylindrical direction (see arrows Fig. 3) by reason of the deposits, as hereinbefore explained.

-While the main portion of the stream of liquid directed from the spilling apron 4 across and into the tank remains therein in circulation, yet it will be apparent from the present invention that a thin film of liquid is caused to flow from the tank 1 over the receiving apron 9 into the launder 10. 1n this latter thin film of liquid is contained the separated flakes of graphite concentrated from the ore as it is fed into the stream of liquid leading from the spilling apron 4.

The feeding mechanism for supplying.

the ores from which the graphite is to be separated comprises a feeding roller 7 mounted upon the ends of pintles 24 carried in suitable bearings 25 secured to outwardly projecting frames 26 secured to the vertical support 11.

The roller may be driven from any suitable source of power (not shown), and serves to distribute the ore in steady and uniform layers upon a deflecting board 8 interposed between thev said roller and the path of travel of the stream of liquid flow-V ing from the spilling apron 4. The deflecting board 8 is suitably secured to the frames 26 as shown.

Coperating with the Vfeeding roller 7 is a hopper 6 having an inclined wall 27 arranged to direct the ore onto the roller 7. A suitable gate or valve control 28 is provided on the front wall of the hopper 6 and regulates the amount ofore to be fed for purposes of separation. lThis valve is vertically adjustable by means of the screw and slot connection 29.` j

The ore is fed into the hopper 6 from an elevated supply tank or tub 30 superimposed. above the apparatus, and the ore passes through the opening 31 in the bottom thereof as shown.

As shown and heretofore mentioned, the flotation tank l is mounted independently of the feeding mechanism. By this construction all vibration and other tendencies to interrupt the even flow of both films of liquid and the materials or ores are prevented. It will also be noted that an adjustment is provided for the flotation tank and comprises vertically arranged :adjusting screws 32 operable through flanges 33 onto the upper ends of the vertical supports 2.

In operation, the ore is fed through the hopper 6 onto the roller 7 and deflecting board 8 in an even layer from whence it is directed into the stream or stratum of liquid flowing from the spilling apron 4. The force of the stream or stratum of liquid as it leaves the spilling apron is sufhcient to retard any tendency of the lighter particles of ore to sink, and in conjunction with the buoyant effect produced by the circulation of the liquid in the flotation tank separates the ake graphite from the sand deposits. The force of this stream or stratum of liquid is also suflicient to carry these separated particles well over toward the opposite side of the flotation tank where a thin film of liquid containing these separated particles is received upon the inclined apron 9 and carried off in the launder 10. After passing well across the upper open end of the flotation tank the stream of liquid losing considerable of its force gradually recedes and striking one of the substantially semicylindrical sides of the upper portion l2 induces the cylindrical circulation of the liquid in the tank, as heretofore described.

While I have described but a single apparatus, it is apparent that batteries of them can be arranged and operated simultaneously.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an apparatus for concentrating minerals or ores, the combination with a longitudinally wide and deep flotation tank having an unobstructed interior for containing liquid, the width and depth being proportioned to permit bodily circulation of the liquid the-rein under impulse of the feed, of a curved spilling apron arranged to deliver a stratum of liquid under impetus across the upper surface of the liquid in the flotation tank, and means for feeding the ore to be separated into the path of travel of the aforesaid stratum of liquid.

2'. In an apparatus for concentrating minerals or ores, the combination with a longitudinally wide and deep flotation tank having an unobstructed interior for containing liquid the width and depth being proportioned to permit bodily circulation of the liquid therein in vertical planes under impulse of the feed, 'of a downwardly curved spilling apron adjacent the upper open end of said tank arranged to deliver a stratum of liquid under impetus across the upper surface of the liquid in the flotation tank, and means for feeding the ore to be separated into the path of travel of the aforesaid stratum of liquid.

3. In an apparatus for concentrating mineral or ores, the combination with a longitudinally wide and deep flotation tank having an unobstructed interior for containing liquid, the width and depth thereof being proportioned to permit bodily circulation of the liquid therein under impulse of the feed, of a downwardly curved spilling apron arranged to deliver a stratum of liquid under impetus across and in line with the upper surface of the liquid in the flotation tank, and means for delivering the ore in a thin layer into the path of travel of the aforesaid stratum of liquid, said means being located in close proximity to the upper open end of the flotation tank.

4. In an apparatus for concentrating mineral or ores, the combination with a longitudinally wide and deep flotation tank having an unobstructed interior for containing liquid, the width and depth being positioned to permit bodily circulation of the liquid therein under impulse of the feed, of a downwardly curved spilling apron arranged to deliver a stratum of liquid under impetus across the upper surface of the liquid in the flotation tank, means for feeding the ore to be separated into the path of travel of the aforesaid stratum of liquid at a point in close proximity to the upper open end of the flotation tank, and means for varying the thickness of the layer of ore fed.

5. In an apparatus for concentrating minerals or ores, the combination with a flotation tank having an open upper end and an unobstructed interior the upper portion of which is substantially semicylindrical in contour and the lower portion of which is constricted and tapered, the upper portion being formed to permit bodily circulation of the liquid therein under impulse of the feed, of a curved spilling apron arranged to deliver a stratum of liquid under impetus across the upper surface of the liquid in the flotation tank, and means for feeding the ore to separated into the path of travel of the aforesaid stratum of liquid.

6. In an apparatus for concentrating minerals or ores, the combination with a flotation tank having an open upper end and an unobstructed interior, the upper portion of which is oppositely curved to permit bodily circulation of the liquid therein under impulse of the feed and the lower portion of which is constructed to collect the heavier deposits of ore, of a curved spilling apron arranged to'deliver a stratum of liquid under impetus across the upper sur- 10 face of the liquid in the flotation tank, and

means for feeding the ore to be separated into the path of travel of the aforesaid stratum of liquid.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM I-I. MUNROE.

Witnesses F. J. INGRAM,` C. J. FORD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C.'\' 

